The genotoxic effects of 2.45 GHz microwave (MW) radiation on the testis and ovary of Sprague Dawley
rats was investigated. The animals were exposed to varying levels of specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0
(control), 0.48, 0.95, 1.43, 1.91, 2.39, 2.90, 3.40, 3.80 and 4.30 Wkg-1
, for 10 min. The induction of DNA
damages was assessed using DNA direct amplification of length polymorphisms (DALP) and validated
with single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) comet assay for same cells at SAR 2.39 Wkg-1
. Potential
damage at the organ level was assessed by histopathological study. The results show significant
differences in the Olive moment and % DNA in the blood of the exposed animals when compared with
the control (p < 0.05). Hyperchromasia was observed in the ovary of the animals exposed to MW
radiation. Also, there was reduction in the number of germ cells and cell disorganization in the testis of
exposed group with increasing SARs. These results suggest that MW radiation has the potential to
affect both male and female fertility adversely.

This is an image of damaged ovaries.

"Our results reveal that short exposure to low level 2.45
GHz microwave radiation alters the DNA genome band
pattern, causes DNA single strand break and modifies
the cells in the testis and ovary of the exposed animals"

This is an image of damaged testes.

Conclusion
We reported for the first time, alteration in DNA bands
pattern, single strand break and reduction in the number
of male germ cells of Sprague Dawley rats as a result of
exposure to 2.45 GHz microwave for just 10 min without
change in body temperature. Our findings reveal that
exposure to microwave radiation of 0.48 Wkg-1 and above
produces genotoxic effects on testis and ovary as
observed from the genomic result, comet assay and the
histopathology results. Thus, there is high possibility of
compromising the fertility in the exposed rats. Although,
rats are known to be more metabolically active than
humans, however, these results give an indication of
possible long term effects that may be expected on the
reproductive organs in humans when exposed at similar
microwave radiation for a considerable period of time.Download the full paper here.